Research for Nanowrimo 2019

Outlining and Prep, Reading
Image of six books.

These are the books I am reading in preparation for my National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) project in November.

There are three nonfiction books to expand my knowledge base. (“Write what you know.”) And there are three critter-horror novels to help me get a grip on:

  • What techniques do and do not work well when writing about vicious, little creatures?
  • What are reader expectations in critter horror?
  • How can I take a trope and flip it like a bug in a death throe?

Meanwhile . . .

Meanwhile, I’m busily rewriting/revising my haunted mansion WIP under the watchful eye of my Horror Writers Association mentor, Loren Rhoads. I get her for six more weeks, so I’m trying to take advantage of this opportunity!

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40 thoughts on “Research for Nanowrimo 2019”

  3. I’m in awe of your dedication to your oeuvre. Keep up the good work. How do you flip a critter like a dying bug? I have this fantasy sometimes when I sit in traffic of having a huge spatula attached to the sides of my car where I can flip the cars ahead of me out of the way. Then I realize that if I had such a tool, other cars might also and then they could flip me out of their way.

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    1. If you’re old enough, maybe it draws you in because you read it the first time around or saw the movie. Both the book and the movie came out in the ’80s. I get creepy crawly feelings on my skin just thinking about the premise!

      Thanks for popping in, Bryan!

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    1. Hornets, wasps in general . . . yeah, they terrify me. I read some advice last year about writing what scares you so you can convey that feeling on the paper. Whatever creatures end up in my Nano story will fly and have stingers!

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  9. That looks like a collection of interesting books. I freak out over insects. They’re excellent subjects for a horror novel, and I’m sure you’ll put your own spin to that trope.

    I think I will be doing NaNo this year as well. I need to do more prep for it. It’s not that far away. YIKES!

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  10. I don’t really mind insects, but if you’re talking snakes? Different story entirely. I did NaNo last year and really need to do it this year for a first draft of my sequel, but I haven’t even started planning it yet. Love how you’re being so proactive, Priscilla.

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  13. Nanowrimo! time is flying so fast!And I think – more as a reader – if the story is intriguing enough, even the tropes become interesting. Remember, it’s a trope for a reason.

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  15. Oh I have to check out these books! I think the only one I have is Th Nest. I had to go back to square one with my WIPs so I’m doing a totally new project for NaNo (in the same universe though so I can use some of the things I wrote already) The book I’m rereading at this moment to prepare for Nano is 45 Master Characters.

    I’m so happy to hear you still have 6 more week to work with your Horror Writers Association mentor!

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